China Club
{click for address and photos}

Sometimes the dining experience is more memorable than the food, and this was one of those nights. Exotic nostalgia would tingles all my senses.

Candice Suen, the vibrant restaurateur for Triple O’s in Hong Kong and Yo Ma Ma, decided to treat me to a great Chinese restaurant.

She uttered, “everyone that visits Hong Kong has to try China Club.”
Being naïve, I thought to myself shouldn’t we think about dancing after dinner?

After a bit of researching, China Club is an members only exclusive restaurant owned by entrepreneur David Tang, also of Shanghai Tang. This restaurant is a haven for xpats who thrive in this type of environment.

Arriving on Bank Street in the bustling Central district, a private elevator brings me to China Club. Right through the lobby doors, a grand dining room featuring high ceilings and retro Shanghai colonial interior welcomes the guest.

Instantly, I am warped back to the Shanghai 1930s. The client base are well to do professionals awaiting a luscious meal.

If you’re a diner that enjoys a great dining experience, you’re in for a treat. Rustic wooden chairs, a menu with design paired from that period, and a wait staff that even appears to be from Shanghai. Only thing missing, opium from the menu, but that is another story.

All of these details add to the dining experience. After all, a great dining experience transports the diner into another theme, period, or dimension. Clearly, I was charmed and guess what, the food had not even arrived.

The first plate arrived with a mighty spirit. The roasted pork and bbq pork mixed platter.

With just one slight bite, the pork skin shattered. The trio texture combination (crispy skin, pork fat, tender meat) took me to pork heaven.

Neatly fanned out, the bbq pork was on par showcasing tender juicy meat glazed with a sweet sauce.

Just after I enjoyed the turf, surf arrived.

Work fried in an open faced butterfly cut, the sweat and spicy shrimp stole the show. The orange vibrant hues highlight the sea sweat shrimp that contrast so ever well with crispy fried miso leaves.

The scallop and bitter lemon was all about temperature contrast. Bathing in a dark bean sauce, the sweat scallops paired well with the cool bitter melon.

At the corner of my right eye, the dining room stage provided ample entertainment. Starting the evening, a Chinese classical singer warmed the floor. Stealing the show, a Chinese acrobatic man pouring tea in the most theatrical way. Tea shot a few feet into small cups. Finishing the floor performance, a chef performed the making of hand made noodles.

All the while, I was enjoying a great meal.

Rounding out the meal, a beef stew noodle excited the appetite. The rich soup with multiple flavor tones including sweet, spicy, and savory made the dish on par.

With a flaky crust, the custard tart along with two fortune cookies had ended the marathon.

After the meal, I toured the restaurant and the upstairs had a library and a fantastic view of the city.

{click for address and photos}